Music Hall event to celebrate Memorial Bridge completion

PORTSMOUTH — As work winds down on the Memorial Bridge project, it's time to wind up the fun and celebrate. That is the idea behind a celebration at The Music Hall on Nov. 7.

Deborah McDermott

PORTSMOUTH — As work winds down on the Memorial Bridge project, it's time to wind up the fun and celebrate. That is the idea behind a celebration at The Music Hall on Nov. 7.

Bridge contractor Archer Western Contractors, its subcontractors, designers, consultants and all who played a role, large or small, on the project are invited. A limited number of tickets are also on sale to the general public, as many in the Seacoast have taken an active interest in the project, said community outreach coordinator Jennifer Zorn.

"The thing that's important for people to know is that not one dollar of taxpayer money is being used for this event," she said. "It's going to be 100 percent privately funded."

She said 12 sponsors, all involved in some way on the project, are paying to cover most of the cost to rent The Music Hall. General admission tickets of $10, and $8 for Music Hall members, will also be used to defray costs, Zorn said.

Zorn said she has amassed quite an e-mail database over the course of the project from people from around the country and world, as well as locally, who were interested in the bridge. She is trying to reach out to as many as she can, but wanted to get the word out, as well, to the many bridge stalwarts who stood on the Prescott Park pier in all weather at all times of year.

"People are very connected to this bridge and it hasn't stopped. I still get a lot of questions," she said.

A full evening is planned. It will begin with a short film on the old bridge, including footage of it being built and interviews with former operators. A second short film on the new bridge will follow. Next will be an awards ceremony to recognize the "expertise and dedication" of people involved in the project.

"Some are funny, some are serious, but they're all for those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty," Zorn said.

There will be a panel discussion featuring Steve DelGrosso of Archer Western Contractors; Robert Goulet of E.S. Boulos, the electrical contractor; Ben Porter, who founded Save Our Bridges; Nickie Hunter, of the N.H. Department of Transportation; David Rogowski of Genesis Structures in Kansas City, Mo., hired by the project for his expertise in float-ins and float-outs; and Dick Holt of Moran Towing, who will discuss the roles tugboats played in the project.

"We want to celebrate all the cool fun that has happened since this project began," Zorn said.

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